Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-13
INTERVIEW WITH GOV, ,THAYER
He Explains Why He Has Been Assailed By
Editor Rothacker.
A DISAPPOINTED OFFICE SEEKER.
Rothackcr Wanted to BE Police Com
missioner, But Did Not
Get the Posi-
tion.

Get the Posi-
tion.
"What is the cause of the Republicans
savage assault upon you, governor, on
account of your letter addressed to the
police commissioners asked represcn.
ta.ive of the BEE last evening of Coy.
ernor Thayer, at the Millard hotel
81 suppose" answered the governor,
"that it is because did not appoint Ed
itor Rothacker as one of those commits.
sioners."
"Why, was he an applicant?"
''Yes; and very earnest and persist.
ent one," replied the governor.
"Did any one recommend him?'
mo one except MIR. Cadet Taylor.
That gentleman called on me at Lincoln
some weeks ago and requested me to APP
point Mr. Rothacker. l discouraged 1t
at that time. During my late visit here,
when l spent some several days in
Omaha, considering the subject of the
commission. Messrs. Taylor and Roth
acker called on me and the application
was renewed. l gave them the reasons
that Mr.. Rothacker's appoint.
| IN ent would not be judicious One was
| that he was the editor of a paper which
| was known rs an organ OF tho gepubll-
| can party, and as it is the intent on of the
| law that the commission shall be entirely
non partisan his selection would be in
consistent with that position. l said that
| his selection would be subject to criti-
cism in that regard. l said to them that
the democrats. to make the thing even,
might ask me to appoint the editor of
the Herald to the same position. The
appointment of political editors, said,
i was incompatible with my duty in the
matter, or words t6that etfect.'
well, did that end the matter"
| II supposed that was the end of it. l
returned to Lincoln on the evening of
the day OF the city election here Two
days after that received most pressing
telegram again renewing the request for
the appointment of Mr.. ROthacker, but l
found no reason for changing my deter.
mination. l had said to each of the four
gentlemen subsequently selected before |
left here that should probably appoint
them, which decision carried into ef.
Gould you have supposed that you
would have been assailed for addressing
that letter to the commissioners and hav-
ing it published?"
"Most assuredly not. Every word of
1t was in favor of good order, good gov
ernment, and protection for the people of
the city. l designed the letter as basis
for the action of the commission. Sew
eral motives influenced me IN preparing
the letter. One was to strengthen the
commission. Another was to let the peo-
pie know that the movement, the estab.
ishment of an efficient police depart
ment in the city, was beng inaugurated.
Another was that it should be warning
to burglars and thieves and lawbreakers
OF every degree to seek another field OF
operation or 60 to the .penitentiary."
"Have you learned anything OF the
public sentiment regarding this matter
during your present visit here?" =.
II have: and it has been source OF
very great satisfaction to me to
find my course in this matter
the best citizens Of the city have not only
thanked me for the commission as Sc
lected, but have thanked me most
heartily for what they designated my
most timely letter. Such men rs Judge
Lake. j. H. Millard, A: J; Hanscom, Drs.
Somers and Merriam, 9. II. Rustin, S. X.
Gwyer, have endorsed the letter fully
and completely. Twas obliged to disre-
gard the request of many personal
friends who asked me to appoint their
favorite candidates, and as the selection
of the members of the commission was
| most uellcaCc TASK, anu one Oh VlCal I'M
portance-for would be held responsible
if the right men were not selected-I de-
tcrmined that must exercise my judg-
ment and appoint those men whom | be-
lieved combined all the essential qualities
which they should possess to hold those
positions. l accordingly decided to Sc
lcct those whom had known for years.
A prime object with me also was to bring
together four men who would work to
gether in entire harmony. l have full
confidence that ! have succeeded in doing
| this
Have you any idea as to whom the
commission will appoint as chief of pO-
hceg'
mot the slightest. have no doubt
they will consider that matter with great
caution, and select the one who in their
Judgment is best fitted for the position"
''Do you know MIR. Moynihan, who is
seeking the placer"
"Inever saw HIM to my knowledge
until last evening. I know nothing in
regard to him. I nave no quarrel with
MIR. ROthacker. have marked out my
line of action and shall pursue it regard
less of any amount of detraction and
abuse.